CVE-2021-40970 in spotweb
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2021
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/installer/step-004.inc.php in spotweb 1.5.1 and below allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
The CVE-2021-40970 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the spotweb application ecosystem, specifically targeting version 1.5.1 and earlier releases. This vulnerability exists within the installer component of the application, more precisely in the templates/installer/step-004.inc.php file, which serves as part of the installation process for spotweb. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the username parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. In this case, the username parameter represents the attack vector through which malicious input can be injected into the installer interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious username containing script tags or other HTML content and submits it during the installation process, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the injected code to execute in the browser of any user who views the affected page or interacts with the installer component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, deface the installation interface, or execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the application's environment. Given that this vulnerability exists within the installer component, it could be exploited during the initial setup phase of spotweb, potentially compromising the entire installation process and affecting the security posture of the deployed application.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the installer is accessible to unauthorized users. The vulnerability's presence in the installation process suggests that organizations deploying spotweb may be vulnerable during their initial configuration phase, potentially exposing them to attacks that could compromise the entire application stack. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper sanitization and encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied data, especially in components that handle sensitive installation procedures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 1.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this XSS vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the installer component during the installation process, preventing unauthorized users from exploiting this vulnerability. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for web application security and follow the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in installer access and user input that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.